Melanotan-2
Melanotan II (cyclic α-MSH analog)
At a Glance
Molecular Properties
Overview
Compound Description
Melanotan-2 is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) used as a reference agonist in melanocortin-system research. Its lactam-bridged structure and norleucine substitution confer enzymatic stability relative to native α-MSH, making it a common tool compound in melanogenesis and receptor-pharmacology studies. Atlas Peptide Research supplies this material strictly for in-vitro and preclinical laboratory research. It is not a therapeutic product and is not intended for human use, diagnosis, or cosmetic application.
Mechanism of Action
Research-Identified Pathways
Melanotan-2 is characterized in the literature as a non-selective agonist across the melanocortin receptor family (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R), a class of G-protein-coupled receptors. At the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) expressed on melanocytes, research indicates that agonist binding activates adenylyl cyclase and elevates intracellular cAMP, engaging protein kinase A and CREB-dependent upregulation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and downstream melanogenic enzymes such as tyrosinase — the canonical signaling axis studied in melanogenesis models. Its cyclic lactam constraint and norleucine-for-methionine substitution were designed to increase conformational stability and resistance to oxidative degradation compared with the parent α-MSH sequence.
Beyond MC1R, research indicates that Melanotan-2 activates central melanocortin receptors, notably MC4R and MC3R, which are implicated in preclinical models of energy balance and appetite regulation. In rodent studies, central administration of the peptide has been used to probe melanocortin signaling within discrete brain regions. These observations describe receptor-level pharmacology and signal transduction only; they are presented as mechanistic research context and do not constitute evidence of any therapeutic, cosmetic, or human-use benefit.
Key Research Findings
Published Study Highlights
- Characterized in vitro as a non-selective agonist across MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R melanocortin receptors.
- MC1R agonism drives cAMP/PKA-CREB signaling and MITF-mediated tyrosinase expression in melanocyte melanogenesis models.
- Cyclic lactam bridge (Asp-Lys) and Nle-for-Met substitution engineered to increase conformational rigidity and metabolic stability versus native α-MSH.
- Used as a reference melanocortin agonist to probe central MC4R/MC3R pathways in rodent energy-balance models.
- Region-specific central microinjection studies (e.g., nucleus accumbens) employ the peptide to dissect melanocortin control of feeding-related behavior in preclinical models.
Areas of Research Interest
Why Researchers Are Investigating This Compound
This compound has attracted significant research attention in the following areas. These represent active fields of scientific inquiry, not validated therapeutic claims. No medical benefits are stated or implied.
- Melanogenesis and pigmentation research: investigating MC1R-driven cAMP signaling and tyrosinase regulation in melanocyte cell models — a mechanistic research topic, not a validated benefit.
- Melanocortin-receptor pharmacology: characterizing binding, selectivity, and signal transduction across MC1R–MC5R subtypes as a tool agonist.
- Appetite and energy-balance research models: examining central MC4R/MC3R activation and feeding behavior in preclinical rodent systems.
- Peptide structure-activity research: studying how cyclic lactam constraint and Nle substitution affect potency, stability, and receptor engagement relative to α-MSH.
Published Research
Peer-Reviewed References
- Al-Obeidi F, Castrucci AM, Hadley ME, Hruby VJ "Potent and prolonged acting cyclic lactam analogues of alpha-melanotropin: design based on molecular dynamics." Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (1989). doi:10.1021/jm00132a010
- Sugg EE, Castrucci AM, Hadley ME, van Binst G, Hruby VJ "Cyclic lactam analogues of Ac-[Nle4]alpha-MSH4-11-NH2." Biochemistry (1988). doi:10.1021/bi00421a029
- Dorr RT, Lines R, Levine N, Brooks C, Xiang L, Hruby VJ, Hadley ME "Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study." Life Sciences (1996). doi:10.1016/0024-3205(96)00160-9
- Herraiz C, Martínez-Vicente I, Maresca V "The α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone/melanocortin-1 receptor interaction: A driver of pleiotropic effects beyond pigmentation." Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research (2021). doi:10.1111/pcmr.12980
- Eliason NL, Martin L, Low MJ, Sharpe AL "Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food." Neuropeptides (2022). doi:10.1016/j.npep.2022.102289
Research Use Only
The information presented on this page is compiled from peer-reviewed scientific literature and is provided solely for educational and research purposes. This compound is intended exclusively for laboratory and scientific research use. It is not a drug, pharmaceutical, or dietary supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. No claims of therapeutic efficacy are made or implied.
Researchers are advised to consult the original published studies referenced above for complete methodological details, study limitations, and the authors' own conclusions. Atlas Peptide Research does not endorse any specific research application and provides this information as a reference resource only.
Interested in Melanotan-2?
View this compound in our shop to see available sizes, certificates of analysis, and current pricing.
View in Shop